Related Items

Local Real Estate

Subscribe Now

YOU know when you meet someone and you click?

On the "add friend button" of course.

It seems that social media is taking over the dating realm in places like Rockhampton, with a recent survey by Optus revealing that 14% of regional Australians aged between 18 and 34 are using social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to ask someone on the first date.

The survey also uncovered that many Australians admit to cancelling a date via text message or social media.

Jayne Close, owner of Rockhampton dating service Timely Encounters, said there were no other options in rural places than to go online.

"In the city there's just more things to do to meet people," she said.

"In order to meet single people here there isn't really any other options."

Jayne, who started her business last year to get single people mingling face to face, said she had found it was the younger generation who lacked communication skills.

"A lot of them just don't have the confidence because they're used to hiding behind a computer," she said.

"They live on sites like Facebook.

"I find they're a lot more nervous (at) ... dating events."

While Jayne said it was the way of future, she also warned people using the internet to date to be wary.

"I just think people should be conscious that people online can tell you exactly what you want to hear."

ONLINE LOVE

Asked someone on first date via social media: 11% of Australians in metro areas and 14% of Australians in regional areas

Asked someone on a first date via SMS: 17% metro 14% of regional

Cancelled a date via SMS: 29% metro, 18% regional

Reader poll

Would you try internet dating?

This poll ended on 31 October 2012.

Yes - 54%

No - 34%

Undecided - 11%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.